Jack Botsford

Jack Botsford, former vice-president and general manager of Gunnar Mining, has died. He was 90.

Botsford was born in 1911 and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1933 with a bachelor of applied science degree in mining. The graduating class was a close-knit group, and surviving members still meet regularly.

Botsford’s first job after school was with Howey Gold Mines, near Red Lake, Ont. In 1936, he headed west to become mill superintendent of Gunnar Gold Mines at Beresford Lake, Man. There he met Amy Margaret Stigant, a nurse, whom he married in 1938. They had their first son, John, in 1940.

From 1936 to 1942 the mine produced $3.7 million in gold from 290,000 tons of ore.

In 1942, Botsford joined Eldorado Mining & Refining, a Crown corporation which mined uranium for the war effort at Port Radium, N.W.T. He was assistant mine manager.

By 1945, the war had ended and the Botsford family returned to Manitoba, where Ogama-Rockland Gold Mines needed a mine manager. The mine closed in 1950 and Botsford traveled to northern Saskatchewan to become the acting mine manager for Nesbitt Labine Uranium Mines.

In the early 1950s, Botsford returned to Gunnar Gold Mines to become its chief engineer. Shortly afterwards, the Botsfords’ second son, Jack, was born.

Gunnar Gold was soon renamed Gunnar Mining and it began mining uranium at Crackingstone Point, part of the Athabasca basin in northern Saskatchewan. Botsford helped develop the company from a makeshift operation consisting of shanties and tents to a fullfledged operation producing 800,000 tonnes of ore in 1962. By then, Botsford had relocated to Toronto and was the mine’s general manager.

Botsford went on to hold various positions, including vice-president of Gunnar and president of Gunnex, a spin-off company.

Botsford also worked in various capacities for A.C.A. Howe, Augmitto Explorations, Barymin Explorations, Bovis, Icon Sullivan, Kesmark, Mexicanus Explorations, Muscocho Exploration, New Joburke Explorations, Noradco Mines, Orofino Resources, Rayrock Mines and Vedron.

Botsford is survived by his two sons, as well as two grandchildren and one great grandchild.